Nonclog atomized oil burner



J. T. VOORHEIS 2,063,713

NONCLOG ATOMIZED OIL BURNER Dec. 8, 1936.

Filed June 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l [N VE N TOR Z %0zm75 ama- A TTORNEYDec. 8, 1936. 4. T. VOORHEIS 2,063,713

NONCLOG ATOMIZED OIL BURNER Filed June 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /o v /Z40 I E5125 7? woe/271s BY z, W A TTORNE y INVENTOR fi J. T. VOORHEISNONCLOG ATOMIZED IL BURNER Filed June 22, 1934 4Shee1s-Shee 3 Y Y l NVbNT0R i525? 77 1 5033219,

BY v

- ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNl'lED STAT tries 12 Claims.

This invention relates to fuel burners, and particularly pertains to anatomizing oil burner.

In the operation of fuel oil burners it is imperative that the fuel oilbe properly atomized, that it be uniformly and continuously projectedfrom the jet, and that the jet be non-clogging. It is difficult toaccomplish these results when the fuel is of low grade, such for exampleas heavy oils and sludges, and it is the principal object of the presentinvention to provide a liquid fuel burner which embodies means toproperly atomize the fluid and control the shape and direction ofmovement of the jet projected from the burner, and, in addition, toinsure that fluids will not have an opportunity to produce a corrosiveaction upon the parts of the burn r, or to become clogged within theburner.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a fuel burner fittedwith a nozzle from which fuel oil and a vapor, such as steam, may bedischarged, and which. nozzle is so designed as to control the separatejets, fuel and vapor in a manner to produce atomization of the fuel andto establish the shape and spread of the jet created by the combinedfuel and atomizlng agent.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing the complete assembledburner with which the present invention is concerned.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in longitudinal central section showing otherdetails of the burner and particularly disclosing details of the valvehead and the nozzle head.

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section through the valve head as seen onthe line 3--3 of Fig. 1, as showing in detail the blow-out valve.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section as seen on the linellof Fig. 3 showing the various passageways.

Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section through the valve head as seen onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and as showing the oil tube packing.

Fig. 6 is a view in transverse section through the burner as seen on theline 6-t of Fig. 1 and as showing the clamp hinge pin structure.

Fig. 7 is a view in end elevation showing the nozzle structure.

Fig. 8 is a view in central longitudinal section showing the nozzlestructure as seen on the line 8-4; of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a iew showing the inner end of the nozzle head as seen on theline Q-@ of 8.

Fig. i0 is a view in transverse section through the nozzle head as seenon the line ill-l8 of Fig. 8.

Fig. ll is a view in transverse section through the nozzle head as seenon the line li-ll of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section through the burner socket asshown on the line 22-42 of Fig. l, and discloses the steam and oil inletconnections.

Fig. 13 is a view in transverse section as seen on the line of Fig. 4.

Fig. l i is a fragmentary View in vertical section showing the gasketjoint of the oil and steam lines between burner head and socket.

Fig. 15 is a view in end elevation showing the manner in which theprimary and secondary jets act upon the stream of liquid profrom thenozzle.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, it indicates a pin throughwhich the clamp M is screwed and supported. This pin passes through apair of cars It and I2. These ears extend downwardly as shown in Figs. 1and 6 of the drawings, and are formed as a part of a cylindrical burnersocket i3. This cylindrical socket is formed with a central passageway il therethrough to receive the end of a guide pipe 15. The outer end ofthe cylindrical socket, as shown in Fig. 12, i formed with a pair ofcomplementary bosses l6 and i? for steam and oil, respectively. Thesebosses provide tapered threaded openings to receive steam and oil pipesand longitudinal passageways it? and 99 through which the steam and oilmay flow to the valve head unit The burner socket it is fastened aroundthe outer end of the guide pipe Ed by a set screw 2|. The valve housingis adapted to abut against the end of the burner socket and is formedwith a cylindrical portion 22 in longitudinal alignment with the centralaxis of the burner socket. Passageways and 2d are formed in the valvehead casting at the lower end thereof and communicate directly with thepassageways l8 and iii in the valve ocket. These passageways extendlongitudinally and then communicate with upturned passageways '35 and 2%which are separated by a central partition wall 2?. At the upend of thepassageways a lay-pass opening 28 is formed through the partition 2'!and is closed by a valve member 29 mounted on a valve stem 3a which isthreaded into a bore 31 of the valve head. The outer end of this stem issuitably packed by packing mean 32 and carries an operating hand wheelby which the valve 29 may Toe opened or closed. This is desirable inorder to introduce steam to blow through the oil conduits of the systemand free the oil prior to removing the burner from its operativeposition.

It is understood that in some installations the blowout valve might notbe necessary, and in that event the wall 2? would be a solid one,insuring that there would be no possibility of leakage of the steam intothe oil conduit. This is highly desirable when heavy oil sludge is used,

since this sludge usually has an acid content and the comingling of theacid sludge with the steam content would cause a chemical action whichwould produce an undesirable effect when contacting with any of themetal of the burner structure. It is, therefore, one of the objects inthe design of the present invention to insure that the steam and oilwill not comingle until after they have both been discharged from theirrespective separate nozzle jets at the end of the burner.

Secured at the end of the valve head is a T handle 34 by which socket l3and the valve head are secured together and the gasket joints as shownin Fig. 14 are made tight. This handle is provided with a shoulder 35adapted to abut against a lip 3'5 on the end of the valve head and isalso fitted with a longitudinally extending pin 31 which projectsthrough the burner socket housing in the passageway 38 and is threadedinto the hinge pin Hi carried in the burner housing. By this arrangementthe valve housing and the burner socket may be rigidly drawn together.

A steam pipe 39 connects with the threaded opening of the boss it in theburner socket, and an oil pipe ltl connects with the threaded opening inthe boss ll of the burner socket. These pipes are fitted with valves Mand 2 to regulate the flow of fluid through them and to control thesupply of fluid used in the burner.

The valve head 22 is formed with a vertical partition wall at its rearend indicated at 21 and upon opposite sides of which is a vertical oilpassageway 26 and a vertical steam passageway 25. The valve head isprovided with a front wall d6 defining the width of the passageways 25and 26. On the steam side of this wall a threaded opening 4'! is made toreceive the threaded end of a steam tube 38. On the oil side of thiswall a smooth opening 49 is formed through which an oil tube 50 may havea tight sliding fit. The object of this arrangement is to insure thatinequality in length of the steam tube 48 and the oil tube 5E asproduced by expansion and contraction of the metal under separatetemperature conditions will not cause one of the tubes to buckle. Apacking of special design is, therefore, provided within the opening 19and around the oil tube 55. The wall of the opening 59 is formed with anannular recess 5! which continues in a gland 52 disposed tangent to therecess and which extends upwardly and outwardly through the wall of thevalve head. Plastic packing material or other suitable packing may beplaced in the recess 5! around the tube and may be filled into thetangential passageway This is forced downwardly by a packing screw 53 sothat the material may be forced around the tube 58 to form a tight jointtherewith at all times.

The wall it of the valve head is formed with an outwardly projectingcylindrical skirt 54 which receives the end of the metal tube jacket 55.The jacket 55 houses the steam and oil tubes 48 and 5!], and at itsforward end supports a nozzle head 56. The nozzle head as particularlyshown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, has a cylindrical outer wall 51formed at its rear end with a shoulder 58 to receive the forwardlyprojecting end of the jacket 55. The rear wall of the nozzle head isformed with a pair of threaded openings 59 and 6G to receive the steamand oil tubes 48 and 55, respectively. A longitudinally extendingtransverse wall Bl separates the openings 59 and Si! and provides twosegmental passageways 62 and 63. The passageway 52 is in communicationwith the steam pipe 48, and the passageway 53 is in communication withan oil pipe 50'. Formed centrally of the nozzle head and in advance ofthe transverse partition 5! is a cylin drical nozzle tube 65 whichcommunicates with the passageway 53 and through which oil may flow. Theouter end of this tube is formed integral with the end wall 65 of thenozzle head. A central duct 65 extends within the tube, its outer endbeing inwardly tapered as shown at 61 and communicating with a centraloil jet opening 53 which is of a diameter less than the diameter of theconduit 56. Circmnscribing the jet opening 58 is a burner tip 69, theend face of which is in a plane parallel to the end face of the end wall65 and set in therefrom. The burner tip is circumscribed by an annularsubstantially V-shaped groove ill, the outer end wall of which is formedwith steam ducts ll. These ducts are disposed at an angle suitable toproject jets of steam inwardly to intersect the perimeter of the streamof oil projected from the opening 58 of the nozzle head at a point inadvance of the end thereof. If desired, these ducts may be arrangedtangentially so as to create a whirling effect in the jet of oil beingforced longitudinally from the end of the burner tip 69.

The fiat end face of the end wall 65 of the nozzle head is formed with aplurality of steam ducts 72 which are directed to define the shape andspread of the atomized liquid spray desired. These ducts may also bearranged tangentially to create a whirling spray. The result will bethat a central stream or jet of oil will be projected longitudinallyfrom the burner tip having a cross section of relatively large diameterso that the opening 58 from the duct 66 will not have a tendency to clogeven when heavy sludge is used as fuel. The steam jet openings 7| willproduce jets of steam directed outwardly to strike and disintegrate thesolid stream of oil into a relatively heavy spray by what may be termeda primary set of steam jets. This spreading action of the oil asproduced by the primary steam jets throws the oil into the path of thesecondary steam jets passing from ducts 72 to complete atomization andto create the shape of spray desired. Thus atomization will be completedand the flame angle Will be determined and controlled by the secondaryjets, and the initial breaking up of the oil stream in a manner toproduce proper combustion of the fuel particles will be created by theprimary jets.

In operation of the'invention the structure is assembled as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, and the oil and steam tubes it and d9 properly threadedinto the nozzle head 56, and with the steam tube d8 threaded into thevalve head 22. The oil tube 50 is properly positioned within the opening49 of the valve head and packed by pressure of the packing screw 53against a suitable packing material disposed within the gland 52 and thecircumscribing recess 5E. The jacket 55 is mounted in position, and theguide pipe I5 is placed in a circumscribing position around the jacket.Steam and oil supply pipes 39 and 40 are connected with the burnersocket and fuel is regulated by the valves ll and 42 fitted thereon. Thefuel oil passes through the tube 56 and into the duct 56, centrally ofthe burner head 55. As has been previously pointed out, the sectionalarea of the duct 56 is relatively large. As for the outlet opening 68 atthe end thereof, this causes a liquid fuel jet of large size to beejected from the end of the nozzle head in a solid stream and withpractically no spread. Steam enters the nozzle head 56 from the tube 48and occupies the circumscribing chamber 13.

It is to be understood that while the structure has been described asespecially suitable for use with a liquid fuel as the material to beatomized that the apparatus may be used in connection with various otherliquids requiring atomization,

and as has been previously pointed out the apparatus is especiallysuitable for atomizing heavy liquids which cannot be practically forcedthrough small jet openings. The column or stream of liquid to beatomized is therefore in the present case forced outwardly through arelatively large opening in a solid stream and is attacked and actedupon by the primary and secondary steam jets passing from the ducts Hand '12 in a manner to disburse and disintegrate the solid column ofliquid. In this operation the primary jets of steam passing from ducts Hare directed tangentially to and against the circumference of the solidstream of liquid. The ducts H are uniformly spaced around the centralnozzle opening and are not only disposed tangentially of thecircumference of the liquid stream, but also extend outwardly so thateach jet strikes the stream at a predetermined distance beyond the faceof the nozzle, and so that the individual jets will strike the stream inuniformly and equally distributed zones around the nozzle. The result ofthe impact of the primary steam jets against the liquid stream and theresult of the centrifugal force imparted to the liquid stream by thetangentially impinging primary jets will be to convert the solid streamof liquid into a hollow conical spray which is thrown into the path ofthe secondary jets of steam passing from the ducts T2. The liquidparticles in the hollow cone of spray will be relatively large, but whenpassing into the path of the secondary steam jets will be broken up andfinely atomized to a suitable degree of fineness for combustion. At thesame time the secondary jets, due to their directional effect willdetermine and control the shape of the finely atomized spray which isprojected into the combustion zone. The relative spreads of the liquidfuel and the primary and secondary jets are indicated in Fig. of thedrawings.

By the arrangement here shown, it will be seen that there is no mixtureof steam and oil at any place within the burner structure, thus makingit possible to use various liquid fuels, even those which contain acidsand other chemical elements which might react unfavorably on themetallic parts due to moisture and the temperature of the steam. In thepresent instance, the oil and stearr have their only comingling actionat a point beyond the end of the nozzle head, while the jets of oil andsteam are all moving away from the end face of the nozzle. It will alsobe evident that by providing two sets of steam jets, a primary set ofjets producing initial atomization of the particles of the liquid fueland throwing the liquid into a secondary set of jets for completingatomization and defining the shape of the spray, a high degree ofatomization of even a very thick and otherwise unsuitable liquid can beattained without danger of clogging the nozzle head.

The construction of the burner head whereby steam may be convenientlyblown through the oil conduits and nozzle is also of considerablenovelty, due to the fact that with heavy viscous fluids the steam may beconveniently used to maintain the nozzle clean and in a non-cloggingcondition.

In the present application of the invention,

steam has been described as the atomizing agent for the liquid. It willbe understood that under some circumstances it might be desirable to)utilize another fluid for this purpose in which event such fluid couldbe readily substituted therefor.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, as: now known tome, it will be understood that various changes may be made incombination, construction, and arrangement of parts by those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit of my invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:-

1. A method of atomizing a liquid which consists in projecting a solidstream of liquid of relatively large cross section from an orifice,thereafter projecting a plurality of relatively small jets of anatomizing fluid tangentially of the stream of liquid and impingingthereagainst in uniformly spaced zones therearound, whereby rotationalmovement of the stream of liquid will be set up within the column andwhereby dispersion of the liquid will be brought about due to the impactof the jets with the stream and the centrifugal force created in thestream particles.

2. A method of atomizing a liquid which consists in projecting a solidstream of liquid of relatively large cross section from an orifice,thereafter projecting a plurality of relatively small jets of anatomizing fluid tangentially of the stream of liquid and impingingthereagainst in uniformly spaced zones therearound, whereby rotationalmovement of the. stream of liquid will be set up within. the column andwhereby dispersion of the liquid will be brought about due to the impactof the jets with the stream and the centrifugal force created in thestream particles, and then causing another set of jets to encounter thedispersed spray of particles whereby final atomization of the spray willbe produced and the shape of the atomized spray defined.

3. A liquid nozzle structure comprising a central passageway throughwhich a solid stream of liquid may be projected and means embodied inthe nozzle for creating separate steam jets, said jets projectingtangentially of the stream of liquid at a point beyond the end of thenozzle to atomize the same.

t. A liquid nozzle structure comprising a central passageway through.which a solid stream of liquid may be projected and means crnbodied inthe nozzle for creating separate steam jets, said jets projectingtangentially of the stream of liquid at a point beyond the end of thenozzle to atomize the same, and other means embodied in the nozzlestructure for creating a second series of steam jets adapted to createfurther atomization of the liquid and define and limit the spread of theatomized liquid.

5. A liquid nozzle head comprising a central cylindrical member throughwhich a relatively large solid stream of liquid may flow and from theunrestricted opened end of which it may be projected from the nozzlehead, a circumscribing passageway within the nozzle head and around saidliquid passageway and into which pressure fluid is delivered, theforward end of said passageway being closed with an end wall which wallis formed with a plurality of relatively small openings directing jetsof said pressure fluid tangentially of the solid stream of liquid and toimpinge thereagainst such action atomizing the solid stream of liquid ata point beyond the end of the nozzle head.

6. A liquid nozzle head comprising a central cylindrical member throughwhich a relatively large solid stream of liquid may flow and from theunrestricted opened end of which it may be projected from the nozzlehead, a circumscribing passageway within the nozzle head and around saidliquid fuel passageway and through which a pressure fluid is delivered,the forward end of said passageway being closed with an end wall whichwall is formed with a plurality of relatively small openings disposed inequal spaced relation to each. other along a circle concentric with theaxis of the liquid passageway and directed to produce jets of thepressure fluid tangentially of the solid liquid stream so as to impingeagainst the periphery of and atomize said solid stream of liquid beyondthe end of the nozzle head.

7. A liquid nozzle head comprising a central cylindrical member throughwhich a relatively large solid stream of liquid may flow and from theunrestricted opened of which it may be projected from the nozzle head, acircumscribing passageway within the nozzle head and around said liquidpassageway and through which a pressure fluid is delivered, the forwardend of said passageway being closed with an end wall which wall isformed with a plurality of relatively small openings disposed in equalspaced relation to each other along a circle concentric with the axis ofthe liquid passageway directed outwardly to impinge tangentially againstand tend to atomize the solid stream of liquid at a point beyond the endof the nozzle head, the end wall being also formed with a second set ofopenings disposed along a circle concentric with the liquid passagewayand adapted to project jets of a pressure fluid outwardly from the endof the nozzle head in a manner to aid in the disbursement of theatomized liquid and to define the spread of the jet of atomized liquid.

8. A nozzle head for comprising a central longitudinally extendingcylindrical oil passageway, a circumscribing shell concentric with saidpassageway and spaced a distance therefrom to form a compartment betweenthe shell and the wall of the passageway, an. oil conduit connected withthe central passageway, a steam conduit connected with thecircumscribing compartment, an end wall formed as a part of said nozzlehead and having a central opening through which the oil is projected ina substantially undisturbed solid stream, said end wall being formedwith a plurality of relatively small outlet openings arrangedconcentrically of the oil opening and communicating with thecircumscribing compartment whereby jets of steam may be projectedoutwardly and tangentially or" the oil stream to impinge thereagainstand atomize the stream of oil.

9. A nozzle head for oil burners comprising a central longitudinallyextending cylindrical oil passageway, a circumscribing shell concentricwith said passageway and spaced a distance therefrom to form acompartment between the shell and the wall of the passageway, an oilconduit connected with the central passageway, a steam conduit connectedwith the circumscribing compartment, an end wall formed as a part ofsaid nozzle head and having a central opening through which the oil isprojected in a substantially unobstructed stream, said end wall beingfurther formed with a plurality of relatively small outlet openingsarranged concentrically of the oil opening and communicating with thecircumscribing compartment whereby jets of steam may be projectedoutwardly and tangentially of the oil stream to impinge thereagainst ata point beyond the nozzle and atomize the stream of oil, the end wallbeing further formed with a second set of relatively small openingsthrough which steam may be projected in jets tending to define and limitthe spread of the atomized fuel jet created by the nozzle head.

10. A nozzle head for oil burners comprising a central longitudinallyextending cylindrical oil passageway, a circumscribing shell concentricwith said passageway and spaced a distance therefrom to form acompartment between the shell and the wall of the passageway, an oilconduit connected with the central passageway, a steam conduit connectedwith the circumscribing compartment, an end wall formed as a part ofsaid nozzle head and having a central opening through which the oil isprojected in a substantially unobstructed stream, said end wall beingfurther formed with a plurality of relatively small outlet openingsarranged concentrically of the oil opening and communicating with thecircumscribing compartment whereby jets of steam may be projectedoutwardly and tangentially of the oil stream to impinge thereagainst andto tend to atomize the stream of oil, the end wall being further formedwith a second set of relatively small. openings through which steam maybe projected in jets tending to further atomize said stream and todefine and limit the spread of the at-o ed fuel jet created by thenozzle head, said steam jet openings being formed in opposite walls of acircular 1-shaped groove in the face of the nozzle head and concentricwith the axis-of the oil opening.

ll. A liquid nozzle structure comprising a central passageway throughwhich a solid stream of liquid may be projected longitudinally of thenozzle and means embodied in the nozzle for creating separate steam jetsprojected tangentially against the periphery of the solid oil stream toproduce a rotation and atomization of the solid oil stream, a secondseries of steam jets to further atomize the dispersed spray of the firstmentioned series of steam jets and to also define the shape of theatomized spray.

12. A nozzle head for an atomized oil burner of the type describedcomprising a central cylindrical member through which a relatively largesolid stream of liquid may flow and from the unrestricted open end ofwhich it may be projected from the nozzle head, a circumscribingpassageway within the nozzle head and around said liquid passageway andinto which fluid under pressure is delivered, the forward end of whichis closed by an end wall, which wall is formed with a plurality ofrelatively small openings directing jets of fluid under pressuretangentially against the periphery of the solid stream of liquid to anatomization and propelling rotation of the said solid stream of liquid,a second series of essure fluid openings for further atomizing the disped iirst atomized fluid and to centralize and define the oil burnerflame.

JOSEPH T. VOORHEIS.

